Automobile alarm-signal



W. R. D. MCQUARRIE.

AUTOMOBILE ALARM SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2.1919.

Patented Feb. 10, 1920.

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WILLIAM R. D. MGQUARRIE, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

AUTOMOBILE ALARM-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb, 10, 192() Application filed June 2, 1919; SerialNo. 301,369.

1 b all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM R. D. Mc- QUARRIE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, county, of Erie, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automobile Alarmtor of the car will insert the key in the keyhole but forget toturn the same to operate the switch, 1n which event he would con tinue tov crank the machine without being able to start the same until he discovers his failure to turn the switch. Also it frequently happens that the operator will turn the switch in stopping the car and forget to remove the key, thereby leaving the car in a condition to be readily stolen.

The object of my invention is to provide a device which will give a signal to the o erator of the car, when about to start t e same, in the event that he should have failed to turn the key to operate the switch to close the circuit to the engine. A further object of my invention is to provide a device as mentioned which will actuate a signal to advise the operator of the car that he has failed to remove the key after having stopped the engine. Further objects of my invention will appear hereinafter.

With these objects in view, my invention consists generally in a signal arranged adjacent the switch and which is thrown into operation by the key when the latter is within the key-hole and the switch in inoperative position. My invention further consists in various details of constructions and arrange ments of parts all as will be fully described hereinafter and .particularly pointed out in the claims.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification Figure 1 is a perspective view illustratin my invention applied to the switch box 0 an automobile.

Fig. 2 is a vertical, longitudinal section upon an enlarged scale illustrating the parts with the switch in inoperativeposition and the key removed.

F 3 is a similar view with the key inserted. i

Fig. 4 is a verticahtra'nsverse section on the line 4l4.of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail view uponan enlarged sczge' of one 'of the elements of the device, an

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating a modified form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 indicates thecoil box arranged upon the dash.2 of an automobile. Arranged upon the coil box is a switch box 3 in WlllClhS arranged the usual fiber switch block 4 which controls the circuit t0 the magneto or battery, not shown. Mounted in axial alinement with the switch block 4 is the barrel 5 of a Yale lock, 6 in dicating the outer casing thereof, and 7 the key-hole. This much of the device is' old, the switch block 4 being actuated upon turning of the barrel 5 with the key inserted.

The barrel 5 is connected to the switch block 4 within the casing 3 and provide suitable mechanism for sounding the same. This comprises a clapper 10 which may be actu- 'ated by means of clockwork mechanism 11,

as illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive or electrically as indicated at 12 in Fig. 6.

Referring to Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive, the clockwork mechanism is supported in the casing 3 upon suitable posts 13, and a brake arm 14 normally engages a portion of the clockwork mechanismto prevent actuation of the same. The brake arm 'is connected to or actuated by a reciprocating pin 15 normally held in retracted positlon by a spring 16. Loosely mounted in arecess 17 in the wall of the barrel 5 is a ball 18 which,

when the-switch'is in inoperative position,

lies directly beneath or in alinement with the pin 15. Upon insertionof the key 19, said key forces the ball 18 outwardly which in turn moves the pin against the tension of the spring 16 and thereby actuates the brake arm 14 to release the alarm actuating mechanism 11; It is obvious, therefore, that as soon as the car is stopped and the switch thrown into position to stop the engine, the

alarm will sound and will continue to sound until the operator removes the key. Also should the operator insert the key for the purpose of starting, and fail to turn the same to close the switch, thesignal will begin tosound and continue to do so until he closes 'the switch. It should be noted that the reces's 17 is such as to permit free movement of the ball 18 but will retain the same within the'shell 5. 20 indicates means for winding the clockwork mechanism.

In the form shown in Fig. 6, the device is similar to that shown in the preceding figures, except that the bell clapper 10 is actuated electrically, and the brake arm 14 is replaced by a contact 21 which cooperates with a contact 22 on the pin' 15, thereby closing the circuit to the device 12, when the key is within the barrel and the switch in inoperative position. It is obvious that my invention may be variously modifiedwithout departing from the scope thereof.

I claim V 1. In a device of the class described, the

i switch controlling the circuit to an automobile engine and the-locking key for actuating the same, in combination with a signal, and means for throwing said signal into operation when said key is within the lockand the switch in inoperative position, substantially as described.

2. A device of the class described comprising a switch, a lock and key for controlling and actuating said switch, an alarm bell,

mechanism for sounding saidbell, means actuated by the insertion of the key when the switch is in inoperative position for starting the alarm actuating mechanism,

substantially as described.

3. A device of the class described comprising a switch, a lock barrel in axial alinement therewith, an alarm bell, mechanism for sounding said bell, means-normally holding said mechanism out of operation, a member WM. R. D. McQUARRIE. Witnesses:

HARRY WALLENS, Morse LEvErNE. v 

